Tha Carter
Get Down
Lil Wayne
Lyrics & Rhyme Analysis
45
End
256
Internal
63
Multi
243
Slant
12
Chain
Rhyme Groups — hover to spotlight
[Chorus: Birdman & Lil Wayne]
And that's the only✦ way we get down (We get down)
'Cause that's the only✦ way we was taught (We was taught)
And everything✦ we got, we bought (We bought)
And real niggas✦ still shine in the dark (Still shine in the dark, yeah)
And that's the only✦ way we get down (We get down)
And that's the only✦ way we was taught (We was taught)
And everything✦ we got, we bought (We bought)
And real niggas✦ still shine in the dark (Still shine in the dark, fuck the law, oh)
'Cause that's the only✦ way we get down
[Verse 2: Lil Wayne]
Throw my weight like Sherman Klump
I gotta✦ hold up my estate✦ like Donald Trump
And I aim kinda✦ straight when it's time to pump
I bring the punk when it's time to pump
Wrapped around✦ my waist like a cummerbund
Don't make a nigga✦ pump— you up
I come in that new thing, she threw up
Now your bitch ass gotta✦ clean your shoe up
I'm rich as fuck and I never✦ blew up
Business mug, gotta✦ get my loot up
Bet your bitch get fucked if I ever✦ met her
Bet your ditch get dug if you ever✦ step up
One by one, I push 'em down
Fat bullet,✦ fat head make a pussy✦ sound
Hard head, soft ass make a gushy✦ ground
I'm straight from a crooked town, like that
[Chorus: Birdman & Lil Wayne]
And that's the only✦ way we get down (We get down)
'Cause that's the only✦ way we was taught (We was taught)
And everything✦ we got, we bought (We bought)
And real niggas✦ still shine in the dark (Still shine in the dark, yeah)
And that's the only✦ way we get down (We get down)
And that's the only✦ way we was taught (We was taught)
And everything✦ we got, we bought (We bought)
And real niggas✦ still shine in the dark (Still shine in the dark, fuck the law, oh)
'Cause that's the only✦ way we get down
[Verse 3: Lil Wayne]
I'd give my arms and my legs to the game, I'm ahead✦ of the game
I dead any✦ man if he said anything✦
But it's cool, as long as nigga✦ paid when he came in
I'm a fool wit the flame and the 'caine
Cut it just a little bit, but the drain stay the same, yeah
Young Wayne and the pain and the stain still remain✦
On my chest where the four made a mess, yes
I'm still here in the flesh, twenty-one-year-old legend, I'ma✦ live way after✦ my death
I sacrifice whatever that's left
I give y'all the last of my breath like—
Write it down, take a picture, record a copy✦
Press pause only✦ way you stop me, fucker✦
I'ma✦ get mine and make you knock me
Spit wine in your face if you watch me, bitch
[Chorus: Birdman & Lil Wayne]
And that's the only✦ way we get down (We get down)
'Cause that's the only✦ way we was taught (We was taught)
And everything✦ we got, we bought (We bought)
And real niggas✦ still shine in the dark (Still shine in the dark, yeah)
And that's the only✦ way we get down (We get down)
And that's the only✦ way we was taught (We was taught)
And everything✦ we got, we bought (We bought)
And real niggas✦ still shine in the dark (Still shine in the dark, fuck the law, oh)
'Cause that's the only✦ way we get down
[Outro: Lil Wayne]
And that's the only✦ way we gettin'✦ down, nigga,✦ Cash Money,✦ CMB, man
You already know we here, never✦ left, fucker✦
See me if you got a problem, boy
I'm at home all day, man
It's not a game
Stunna,✦ what's really✦ good with 'em?
We ain't never✦ let 'em take our food away✦ (I got it, yeah)
Fresh, you nasty✦ on this one, dog
Ugh
Guess what? This is Tha Carter,✦ bitch
Technical Breakdown
8.0
Multisyllabic Rhymes8.5
Complexity of rhyme schemes (data-driven)
Internal Rhymes9.5
Rhymes within a line (data-driven)
Wordplay / Double Entendres5.0
Clever language, metaphors, punchlines
Cadence / Rhythm10.0
Flow variation and timing (data-driven)
Vocabulary Complexity5.0
Range and depth of words used (data-driven)
Delivery / Breath Control7.0
Performance and control
Computed Score8.02
Production
— Mannie Fresh [4]Be the first to rate the production
Critic Analysis
RAPLEDGER BAROMETER™
Wayne relies on high-energy, punch-heavy delivery and consistent end-rhyme chains to maintain momentum, though the lyrical content prioritizes phonetic aesthetic over dense metaphor.
A
8.5
Multisyllabic
9.5
Internal Rhymes
10
Cadence / Flow
5
Vocabulary
5
Wordplay
7
Delivery
Simile-heavy constructionInternal rhyme stackingAggressive enunciationConsonance repetition (u/p sounds)
Rhyme Architecture: A dense AAAA structure dominant throughout the verse utilizing consistent vowel assonance (u/uh sound) coupled with strong multisyllabic end-rhymes (Klump, Trump, pump, cummerbund).
Verified Doubles & Entendres
"Throw my weight like Sherman Klump"
① A reference to the character from The Nutty Professor regarding physical mass.② A metaphor for the emcee's metaphorical weight or influence in the rap game.
"Don't make a nigga pump— you up"
① A slang reference to physically assaulting or shooting someone.② A play on the 'pump up' verb, subverting the phrase into a threat of violence.
Commanding vocal presence that utilizes rhythm to mask simplistic lyricism
Exceptional use of long-vowel AAAA rhyme schemes to create a relentless forward motion
High level of technical consistency in maintaining the pocket
Reliance on pop-culture analogies that have aged poorly
Lack of sustained conceptual depth outside of bravado
Repetitive usage of the same rhyming suffix across nearly every bar